Schmidt sorry for 'terrible mistake'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Roy Schmidt issued an apology Tuesday in an advertisement in the local newspaper.

It's written as a letter, and among other things, it says Schmidt apologizes to Kent County residents for his attempt to rig his election.

Schmidt switched his party affiliation at the filing deadline in May and recruited a friend of his nephew to file as a Democrat in the 76th District at the last moment. Prosecutor William Forsyth said Schmidt's "ill-conceived and poorly-executed plan" was "designed to undermine the election."

Schmidt called the situation "a poor political decision" the same day the report was released and again in the letter.

In the letter, Schmidt said his behavior "did not meet the high standards" that he set for himself and that "the voters expect" of him.

"I have prided myself in being a public official that citizens could count on for honesty, integrity, and straightforward responses to questions," the letter reads in part. "I did not live up to my own standards and for that I am truly sorry."

In the letter, Schmidt writes that he takes full responsibility for the fraud, and that he regrets denying his involvement in the fiasco -- that is in reference to an interview he did with 24 Hour News 8 political reporter Rick Albin right after the scandal was first exposed in which he denied any wrongdoing.

-- Read the entire letter (pdf) --

Schmidt apologizes directly to Matt Mojzak, the part-time student he recruited to run against him as a Democrat.

He goes on to blame the partisanship and gamesmanship in Lansing for his mistake and reiterates that he stands by his decision to switch parties.

Schmidt ends the letter saying he hopes to regain the voters' trust.

"If the voters decide that I am not worthy of their support in November I will gracefully step aside for new leadership in Grand Rapids," the letter ends. "I hope to regain your trust."